Talpa

Talpa and Mascota Tour

Go back in time as we visit these two “pueblos” nestled inland in the mountains behind Puerto Vallarta. Mascota, with a population of 10000 people is charming as well as rich in history. The church, which was started in the late 1700’s took over 100 years to complete. Known for raicilla (a local moonshine) handmade candy, prized horses, the Mascota Casa de Cultura Museum and “The Fred Flint stone Home”. Talpa de Allende is known for it’s pilgrimages to the stately church that shelters the beloved virgin, Rosario de Talpa, majestic views and kind inhabitants welcoming you to their village. This is a great tour for all ages and anyone interested in seeing a different side of Mexico than just the tourist areas.

Talpa de Allende

Talpa de Allende

This town has long been one of Mexico’s most cherished pilgrimage sites.

Mascota

Mascota

Known for raicilla (a local moonshine), handmade candy, prized horses and the Mascota Casa de Cultura Museum.

Private Talpa and Mascota

Day

Price (USD)

Duration

Mini van max. 7 passengers

Van max. 12 passengers

Suburban max. 6 passengers

Sprinter max. 19 passengers

Monday – Friday

Weekends upon request

$480 USD/van

$600 USD/Van

$720 USD/van

$ 900 USD/van

12 hours

Rate is per vehicle, not per person! If your group is larger than 19 passengers email us to ask for group rates.

Included in private tour:

Transportation, bilingual certified guide, bottle water.

Not Included:

Lunch, personal expenses, gratuities.

Talpa and Mascota Tour

Superior Tours offers Private Tours to Talpa and Mascota. Go back in time as we visit these two “pueblitos” nestled inland in the mountains behind Puerto Vallarta.

Mascota, (4300ft) with a population of 10000 people is charming as well as rich in history. Once an important trading city, now people live mainly of agriculture. There is a big chance that if you bought apples, avocados or oranges in Vallarta, that they are from Mascota. The church, which was starred in the late 1700’s took over 100 years to complete. Known for raicilla (a local moonshine) handmade candy, prized horses, the Mascota Casa de Cultura Museum (closed on monday) and “The Fred FlintsoneHome.”

Talpa de Allende is known for it’s pilgrimages to the stately church that shelters the beloved virgin, Rosario de Talpa, majestic views and kind inhabitants welcoming you to their village. We will show you the church and will make a small hike to one of the viewpoints above the village. Almost every day you can witness impressive processions to Talpa, but Sunday is the most magical day to visit. There is free time to buy your souvenirs, like “Rollo de Guayaba”, or “Chicles”. Sit down at the mainsquare, have a drink, watch people go by, there is no time to get bored! You will have lunch here before we head back to Vallarta (not included).

The following article is taken from www.mexicoguru.comTalpa de Allende
Although only connected to Puerto Vallarta by a good, safe road since early 2007, Talpa de Allende is no stranger to tourism. The town has long been one of Mexico’s most cherished pilgrimage sites. Devout Catholics from coastal Jalisco and Nayarit and from Guadalajara have for centuries walked here to show their devotion to the Virgin of Talpa. Many attribute with life-changing powers the diminutive representation of Our Lady of the Rosary, or Nuestra Senora del Rosario.

The icon is housed in Talpa’s basilica, built in her honor in 1782. Displaying multiple architectural styles from Roman and Gothic to neoclassical, the twin-spired, quarrystone temple is the soul of this town of about 7,000. The church faces the plaza, which due to the large number of visitors is lively most any day of the year. Professional photographers snap pictures of kids on plastic ponies in front of the church, and a man with a real, live equine that’s even tinier gives squealing tots a ride around the square.

Things to Buy and See
After checking out the church and the chapel of Our Lady of Talpa—where the Virgin resides in a glass case—visitors stroll the town center, where shops sell many different types of souvenirs. Typical are rollos de guayaba, a sweet made of cooked and pressed guava. The ubiquitous candy is feted during the town’s Feria de la Guayaba the second week of November.Coffee from the region, both ground or whole bean, is sold in tiny storefronts. Other stores sell homemade, cream-based rompope liquor in a variety of flavors. Small figures from flowers to images of the Virgin are made of chicle, a natural gum. (Yes,this is the original basis for chewing gum.)

Tiny wooden chairs and stools are another popular souvenir. Behind the church, La Cruz de Romero scenic lookout provides a view of the neighboring municipality of Mascota, only about half an hour away by car. The lovely forests of the region are characterized by maple, oak and fir trees as well as endemic species like orchids and ferns.

Religious Festivals
Talpa’s many modest hotels are booked to critical mass during the town’s most popular religious festivals, most of which include fireworks, mariachis and parades in addition to Mass and other forms of religious devotion. The most significant of the festivals are:

Candlemass (Fiesta de la Candelaria, January 25 through February 2);

Feast of Saint Joseph (Fiesta de San José, March 10 through 19);

Anniversary of crowning of the Virgin of Talpa (May 10 through 12);

Anniversary of the Renovation of the Virgin of Talpa (September 10) and

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario, October 7)

Talpa is a great destination for foreign travelers. Accustomed to, and prepared for tourists, it is still patently Mexican in flavor.